Help with communicating during voluntary assisted dying
It is important that you understand what is happening at each stage of the voluntary assisted dying process. It is also important that you can communicate your needs and decisions at each stage of the process.
Throughout the voluntary assisted dying process, you can communicate verbally or by gestures or other means of communication available to you.
Using an interpreter
You can use an interpreter during the voluntary assisted dying process.
Your interpreter can be:
- an accredited interpreter by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI)
- someone who has been granted an exemption from the accreditation requirements by Queensland Health.
Your interpreter cannot be:
- a family member, including your:
- spouse
- parent
- grandparent
- sibling
- child
- grandchild
- a person who under Aboriginal tradition or Torres Strait Island custom is regarded as one of the above people
- someone who knows or believes that they are a beneficiary under your will
- someone who will otherwise benefit (financially or otherwise) from your death, other than for receiving fees for providing interpreter services
- the owner of a health facility where you are being treated or live
- someone who is responsible for the day-today a management and operation of a health facility where you are being treated or live
- someone who is directly involved in providing health or personal care services to you.
Interpreters can refuse to be involved in the voluntary assisted dying process.
Your coordinating, consulting or administering doctor or nurse will work with the Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Support Service (QVAD-Support) to find you an interpreter. This will usually be at no extra cost for you.
Interpreter servicers over the phone
For certain parts of the voluntary assisted dying process your interpreter will need to be face-to-face to interpret or translate for you. Your coordinating, consulting or administering doctor or nurse will tell you when this needs to happen. QVAD-Support can assist with arranging interpreter travel when this needs to occur.
Using speech pathologists or occupational therapists
To help you communicate your decisions and needs, you may need the support of speech pathologists and/or occupational therapists.
Speech pathologists and occupational therapists can refuse to be involved in the voluntary assisted dying process.
Your coordinating, consulting or administering doctor or nurse can work with QVAD-Support to find you a qualified speech pathologist or occupational therapist, who will be able to help you through the voluntary assisted dying process.
Using specialised communication aids or strategies
You can also use specialised communication aids or strategies to communicate, including:
- signing
- a communication book
- a communication display
- a speech generating communication device or software program
- augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), including:
- books
- tablets
- speech generation devices
- gestures or facial expressions.
Using proxies to sign documents on your behalf
When making a second request or appointing a contact person you will have to sign forms in writing.
If you cannot sign the request yourself—for example, your condition means you are unable to hold a pen—another person can sign on your behalf. They may only sign the form at your request and must do so in your presence. This person must be 18 years or older.
The person cannot be your:
- coordinating or consulting doctor
- witness
- contact person.